Minneapolis Releases Video That Contradicts ICE Agents’ Sworn Testimony in January Shooting
Nine minutes of city surveillance footage shows a 12-second struggle, not three minutes. The shovel was on the ground, not in anyone’s hands. The men were running away when an agent fired. Both agents are now on administrative leave facing a perjury probe.
The City of Minneapolis released nine minutes of surveillance footage on April 6 from a January 14 shooting involving two ICE agents and two Venezuelan men during Operation Metro Surge. The video contradicts the agents' sworn testimony on multiple points. Both agents have been placed on administrative leave and face a potential perjury investigation.
The video
City-owned surveillance footage from January 14, 2026. Released by the City of Minneapolis on April 6, 2026. 9 minutes.
DHS original statement
On January 15, DHS posted via official channels that federal officers were stopping "an illegal alien from Venezuela" who fled on foot, that "two people came out of a nearby apartment and began to strike the officer with a snow shovel and a broomstick," and that "fearing for his life and safety as he was being ambushed by three individuals, the officer fired a defensive shot."
What ICE claimed vs. what the video shows
| DHS statement (Jan 15) | City surveillance footage (Jan 14) |
|---|---|
| Agent was "ambushed" by three individuals | Agent initiated contact by tackling Alfredo Aljorna after Aljorna slipped on ice |
| Two men "began to strike the officer with a snow shovel and a broomstick" | Julio Sosa-Celis dropped the shovel into the snow before any contact; it remained on the ground throughout |
| Implied extended violent assault | Entire struggle lasted approximately 12 seconds |
| Agent "fired a defensive shot" | Agent fired toward both men as they were running away into a residence |
Timeline
January 14, 2026 -- Near the 600 block of 24th Avenue North, just before 7 p.m., two ICE agents encountered Alfredo Aljorna and Julio Sosa-Celis during Operation Metro Surge. An agent tackled Aljorna after he slipped on ice. Sosa-Celis briefly tried to separate them, then both men ran inside. An agent fired, striking Sosa-Celis in the thigh. City surveillance cameras recorded the encounter.
January 15 -- DHS posted a statement claiming the agent had been "ambushed" and struck with a snow shovel, framing the shooting as defensive. DHS also misidentified Sosa-Celis as the driver of the car in a "targeted traffic stop."
Late January -- Federal prosecutors charged both Aljorna and Sosa-Celis with assaulting a federal officer based on the agents' sworn testimony. The city surveillance footage was available to federal investigators within hours of the incident but was not reviewed before charges were filed.
February 12 -- Minnesota U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen requested all charges be dropped after reviewing the video evidence. The Department of Justice filed a motion citing "newly discovered evidence" contradicting the agents' account.
April 6 -- Minneapolis released the full video publicly. DHS acknowledged that the two agents "appear to have made untruthful statements" in their sworn testimony. Both agents placed on administrative leave.
What officials said
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey: "The video makes it crystal clear that, just like in other situations during 'Operation Metro Surge,' the federal government's account of what happened simply does not match the facts."
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara, to the New York Times: "It sounds like an unarmed person got shot running away."
ICE placed both agents on administrative leave, stating their sworn testimony "appears to have made untruthful statements."
What remains unresolved
The shooting agent's identity has not been released. Minnesota state investigators say they cannot obtain it due to information-sharing restrictions in federal cases. Whether federal perjury charges will be filed against the agents remains an open question -- the U.S. Attorney's office has confirmed a criminal probe is underway.